Meet Your Tour Manager: Rose Gray
Now with over three decades in the travel industry, Rose Gray started her career off as a vacation travel consultant. From there, she experienced all walks of travel life as a business travel agent, branch manager, manager of business development as well as work with an airline. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from Lakeland College in addition to her Certified Travel Certification (CTC) from the Institute of Certified Travel Consultants.
Best Seasons of Ireland
Is Ireland one of those bucket list destinations for you? Do you dream of venturing the Irish countryside experiencing sight after sight? Well, then you may be wondering what time of year is best to visit Ireland. We’ve got you covered as we examine the best times of year to visit the emerald isle.
Fearless LeadHERS of Fox World Travel
In honor of International Women’s Day, we wanted to highlight a few of the many amazing ladies who make this company what it is. No matter what department it is, at Fox, there a successful woman there making a difference. Here are just a few of amazing women who work at Fox.
Recording: Online Presentation Highlighting South America with Lori Skelton
You’re invited to Experience the Vineyards of South America on our custom, one-of-a-kind tour of Argentina and Chile, October 10 – 22, 2019. This tour is hosted by Wisconsin Public Radio Host, Lori Skelton.
Rose Gray recently hosted an online travel show highlighting the experiences showcased on this guided tour with Globus. Please reach out to a Vacation Consultant at Fox World Travel by calling 888.369.8785 if you’d like to learn more or make your reservations today!
Meet Your Tour Manager: Cindy Singley
Cindy Singley graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. After working for the city of Opelika, Alabama for four years as a program coordinator for special events and activities, she co-founded Fellowship Travel and Tours in 1983. It was there that her passion for group travel blossomed.
In 1996, Fellowship Travel & Tours was purchased by a national agency in Birmingham, AL. Cindy joined the corporate headquarters staff as manager of the corporate travel department. After a year in this role, she was named the vice president of corporate travel, managing ten branches.
In 2002, Cindy moved back to Auburn, AL to serve her alma mater as a development officer for the Harbert College of Business until 2006, and then as director of university recruitment until 2019.
Known for her wanderlust, friends often ask where she is headed next! Cindy’s personal and professional travels have taken her to numerous global and domestic destinations. As part of Fox World Travel, Cindy is looking forward to leading clients as they check off their travel bucket lists!
As a tour manager, Cindy has traveled to places like:
- Hawaii
- England
- France
- Ireland
- many more…
You can travel with Cindy on upcoming Fox Group Vacations like Alaska and the Last Frontier, Alaska & the Midnight Sun with Colleen Alsberg, Colorado Rockies Rails & Parks and Romantic Rhine River Cruise.
If you’re interested in traveling the world with the comfort and excitement of a group, take a look at our upcoming Fox Group Vacations.
A Guide to San Diego When Attending a Conference
Whether you’re in town for a big convention or conference, you’ll find your nights in San Diego may be filled with some downtime. But you don’t need to waste time wandering around or doing research places to go, only to end up with more options than you know what to do with. Our quick guide to the San Diego Convention Center has you covered.
Activities to Enjoy
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Shopping – Gaslamp Quarter
Right across the street from the San Diego Convention Center, the Gaslamp Quarter is full of shops, restaurants and beautiful sights to take in. |
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Attraction – San Diego Zoo
San Diego is home to one of the largest and most famous zoos in the world. Just a short drive north of the convention center, the San Diego Zoo is a must visit, especially if you are taking a bleisure trip. |
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Golfing – Torrey Pines
Home of the 2008 U.S. Open and as well as the Farmers Insurance Open, Torrey Pines is one of those legendary courses where golf lovers need to play at least once in their life. Reservations are often required well in advance. |
Restaurants to Try
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Tacos – Oscar’s Mexican Seafood
With San Diego right on the water, you can expect to find great seafood all over town. Fish tacos are what this city is particularly known for, and some of the best – and cheapest are found right behind beautiful Petco Park – just a short walk or ride from the convention center. |
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Breakfast – Cafe 222
Conventions can take a lot out of you! Make sure you start your day off right with a hearty breakfast. One of the best places in town is Cafe 222 – a local spot that has everything you could ever dream in your breakfast fantasies. |
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Japanese – Nobu
Eating at Nobu is equivalent to taking a trip across the pond to Japan and dining in elegance. From fresh sushi to tempura to exquisite wagyu beef from Japan, there is something new and delicious for everyone to try. |
Places to Grab a Drink
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Local Brews – Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers
Don’t miss a game or a meal at Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers. Aptly named, this establishment has a laundry list of beers as well as all the delicious burgers you could ever want. |
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Great Views – Fair Weather Rooftop Bar
Take in the San Diego skyline and admire Petco Park from this rooftop bar serving up delicious cocktails. A very short walk from Petco, you’ll find all the classics, as well as Fair Weather Rooftoop’s unique hand-crafted drinks. |
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Fun Atmosphere – Prohibition Lounge
Step back in time with this ’20s themed secret bar that has an energy worth experiencing. With a list of drinks you’ve never heard of, this is a great place to sit back and relax – but make sure you dress for the times! |
Fox Follow-up: Treasures of Italy with Gene Mueller
Guest post by Fox World Travel tour manager, Rose Gray
There are Italy itineraries and then there is the ultimate Italy itinerary; Treasures of Italy with Fox World Travel and Insight Vacations is just that. On this group tour, we visited Vatican City with VIP access to the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum. What made this part so special was our behind the scenes access where we had the chance to admire the Bramante Staircase, a revolutionary piece of architecture that most visitors don’t get to see.
Fox World Travel Promotes Mia Beltran to Director of Customer Experience
With a never-ending drive to provide an enhanced customer experience, Fox World Travel announces the promotion of Mia Beltran to director of customer experience. Beltran transitions into this role with a wealth of experience focusing on the needs of the customer.
In her nearly four years working as Fox’s brand manager, Beltran worked to develop a culture of customer-centricity. She led Fox through the 2016 rebranding effort and the implementation of net promoter score (NPS), which offers insight into the journey of travelers and identifies where Fox can actualize improvements. “With NPS, Fox utilizes the voice of the traveler to focus our improvements and elevate the customer experience. Items on our technology and operational road map came directly from a combination of traveler voice and journey mapping initiatives,” said Beth Marino, chief experience officer.
Focusing solely on customer experience, Beltran is responsible for managing, delivering and elevating Fox’s customer experience strategy, as well as sharing voice of customer research insights to create an enduring brand representation that drives customer advocacy. She will work with leaders and partners to map customer journeys that provide insight into improving the Fox experience.
“As an organization, Fox has been so receptive to formalizing their focus on the needs of the customer,” says Beltran. “I’ve been able to build on the foundation already created to drive strategic, technology and operational change designed to create customer loyalty.”
In her new role as director of customer experience, Beltran will report to Beth Marino, chief experience officer.
Fox Continues Educational Program to Assist Travel Managers in Creating Successful Programs
Fox World Travel will continue its focus on providing travel managers the skills and insights needed to succeed through its industry-leading, Fox Professional Travel Certification (formerly Travel Manager Institute). The program is designed to help travel professionals from various backgrounds and experience levels keep pace with an ever-changing and sometimes complicated industry.
Meet Your Tour Manager: Kate Robinson
Kate was born and raised in Oshkosh, eventually moving out at 19 to attend school in Boston. It was there that Kate got her start in travel by working for a tour company for five years. While there, she had the opportunity to test a new safari trip in Kenya, from then on she was hooked and has been traveling ever since.
Kate moved back to Oshkosh and began working for Fox World Travel in 1987. She began tour managing our fun & sun groups, with Alaska trips coming soon after. Recently, she tour managed our Fox Group Vacation, Great Capitals of the Adriatic & Croatia. “This trip was the experience of a lifetime,” said Robinson.
Kate is full of travel knowledge from her travels to over 17 States, Mexico, Jamaica, Caribbean, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico as well as England, Germany, Spain, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Africa.
In her personal life, Kate is a mother to two children, Robert and Caitlyn. “I have been truly blessed and now am able to share these experiences with my children, who I have taken on a few trips,” said Robinson, “They have now caught the travel bug and are venturing on own for their first solo journey to Thailand. I’m jealous!”